Related Attachments

A nonprofit led by embattled Roman Catholic priest the Rev. Frank Pavone solicits tax-deductible contributions but hasn’t had authority from the IRS to do so for 16 months.

Gospel of Life Ministries — one of three nonprofits at the heart of a dispute between Pavone, the charities’ self-described frontman, and Amarillo Bishop Patrick J. Zurek — continued to feature on its website an online donation form that refers to contributions as tax-deductible. The IRS revoked the group’s tax-exempt status in May 2010.

“If it still is collecting tax-deductible donations, it’s collecting under false pretenses,” said Vaughn James, a Texas Tech University Law School tax law expert. “I know the IRS won’t take it lying down.”

Groups that lose their exemptions are liable for income and other taxes, as are donors who donate after the date the IRS publicly posts the revocation — even if a charity represents contributions as tax-deductible, said IRS spokesman Clay Sanford.

“Regarding Gospel of Life, we are unclear why its tax-exempt status would be in any jeopardy,” Jerry Horn, the charity’s spokesman, said in an email Friday night. “We have asked our tax advisers to contact the IRS to determine why the organization’s name was listed and how to correct the situation. We do not anticipate any problem in doing so.”

Organizations that fail to file returns or notices with the IRS for three consecutive years automatically have their tax- exempt status revoked under a 2006 law. Organizations at risk of forfeiting their exempt status receive numerous notices, and the IRS did extensive media campaigns to warn nonprofits of the new mandate before beginning automatic revocations, Sanford said.

“We know that in recent months, the IRS has revoked the tax-exempt status of a large number of not-for-profit organizations due to nonfiling of information returns,” Horn said. “Subsequent reviews have indicated that many of these organizations were not required to file because no revenues were received.

“Gospel of Life Ministries was founded in 2006 but did not generate any significant revenue in a number of the years being questioned. Again, it is a small organization. We are in the process of correcting this situation.”

An IRS news release announcing revocations in June said that “for small organizations, the (2006) law imposed a filing requirement for the first time in 2007.” The agency said it mailed “more than 1 million notices to organizations that had not filed.”

Until a couple of weeks ago, Zurek and Pavone had quietly waged an internal church battle over what the bishop called a lack of financial transparency on the part of Pavone’s anti-abortion entity, Priests for Life, and affiliated nonprofits, Rachel’s Vineyard, which ministers to people affected by abortion, and Gospel of Life, a lay association for Priests for Life.

Amarillo Monsignor Harold Waldow said he did not know about the IRS revocation, but conversations about the finances of Priests for Life, Gospel of Life and Rachel’s Vineyard have taken place between Pavone and Zurek, who is traveling and could not be reached for comment.

Zurek tethered Pavone to the Diocese of Amarillo indefinitely until the financial questions can be resolved. Zurek made the disagreement public in a Sept. 9 letter to bishops nationwide suggesting they consider alerting their congregations to withhold donations to the charities until the dispute is settled.

Pavone has appealed the bishop’s decision to the Vatican. He remains a priest in good standing in the diocese, and the questions over finances do not assume wrongdoing, said Waldow, diocese vicar of clergy.

“The most recent financial statements for Rachel’s Vineyard and Gospel of Life Ministries have been sent to the Bishop of Amarillo — numerous times, and without any acknowledgment — including all financials for 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009,” Horn said.

Horn declined an Amarillo Globe-News request for copies of the documents.

“We are not giving over further internal documents (to the press),” Horn wrote in an email Friday.

The diocese “will be sent the most recent year’s audits shortly,” Horn said. “If and when they ask any specific questions ... we will be happy to answer them in full.”

The IRS posted the revocation of Gospel of Life’s tax- exempt status to a list on its website in June to alert donors that the organization no longer is eligible to receive tax- deductible contributions. The federal agency also removed Gospel of Life’s name from IRS Publication 78, a cumulative list of organizations that can accept tax-deductible gifts.

As recently as Friday, a staffer in the Gospel of Life’s Staten Island, N.Y., donations department said contributions could be deducted on tax returns.

James, of Texas Tech, said that practice should cease immediately.

Contributors of Gospel of Life gifts after May 17, 2010, who were unaware of the revocation, could take deductions until the June 9 revocation posting, according to the IRS’ general guidelines.

But no deductions can be taken for donations since the posting, the IRS information shows.

Any organization whose status is revoked is liable for all income, excise or other federal taxes and penalties that may have been owed at the time of revocation and is responsible for future tax liabilities it accrues, the IRS website states.

Gospel of Life also could be liable for real property, sales or other state and local taxes without the cover of the exemption, an IRS document states. A representative of the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance did not return a message Friday.

Sanford said taxes would be owed by any entity for money collected since revocation.

IRS information said the government will not reinstate a revoked nonprofit status. Charities must apply for a new exemption.

Charity Navigator, a watchdog group based in Glen Rock, N.J., had no information on Gospel of Life, but that could be because the charity collects less than $1 million in annual revenue, spokeswoman Sandra Minuitti said. A search of Guidestar, an online nonprofit database, did not turn up tax returns for Gospel of Life.

“Both Rachel’s Vineyard and Gospel of Life are very small organizations in terms of revenue, less (than) $200,000 for Gospel of Life and $500,000 for Rachel’s Vineyard,” Horn said.

Minuitti said many small groups lost tax-exempt status under the automatic revocation rule, which implemented the annual filing requirement “because the IRS was having a difficult time determining which charities were in business and which were not.”

Some small groups were caught unaware, she said.

But Gospel of Life shares Staten Island, N.Y., offices, some staff and website links with Priests for Life. Rachel’s Vineyard is based in Pennsylvania but has a Staten Island, N.Y., post office box.

“If they’re savvy enough and large enough to have a website, and if they’re sharing offices with another group, it would be hard to make that excuse for them,” Miniutti said.

Charity Navigator rates Priests for Life as a two-star charity on its four-star scale, largely because 64 percent of the organization’s budget is going toward its programs, she said. “Most charities spend 75 percent or more,” Miniutti said.

The watchdog group introduced a new way of evaluating charities on accountability and transparency last week. The scrutiny shows “more concerning, that they (Priests for Life) don’t have enough independent voting members on their board,” Miniutti said. “When we’ve seen charities involved in scandals and falling apart, it’s because there’s not enough oversight.”

The Globe-News has requested names and contact information for members of the organizations’ boards. The request has gone unanswered by Priests for Life.

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This is not about the subject matter, the "personalities", or the Churches philosophy. When you take the emotion out, this is just a matter of accountability. I for one am glad our Bishop is holding someone accountable to their doings within the realms of the Church's business.

A thought crept up into my mind, I'll share it . . . maybe this "Sheperd" is into masonry? Is he in a politicians pocket? Afterall Pavone say's it like it is. I'll end my comment like this: Bishop Zurek did you really mean to let the letter you wrote leak out into the public? "Non sunt facienda mala ut eveniant bona" (We must not do evil, even in order that some good may come).

Some of you won't be happy until abortions are required just like vaccinations.

You won't be happy until those who require love, time and money are exterminated.

And then there are some of you working really hard to limit the care every human deserves.

The cure that many of you are running so hard for is linked to all the drugs, practices and procedures you share to have reproductive freedom. Breasts will someday be labeled a health risk, will never be used for nursing and the asthetics will go out of vogue.

A lot of you want to take Father Frank down because the lives he fights for are uncomfortable to think about and THE WORD he spreads is bad for business.

You are far reaching on your claims, you as Father Pavone, are a fear monger. An extremist is only as valid as it's leader. You follow, as sheep to the bounty. If this cause is legitimate, it can last longer than it's leader. If a leader being removed temporarily, causes the whole of the cause to suffer, then it is not legitimate. YOU can still pray and protest and plead your cause; without your leader. This is a cult practice. Get real.

People seem to forget that even Jesus said (and here I paraphrase): "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

There has to be an accurate accounting of legal tender received (Caesar's due) so that those who choose to do God's work (God's due) can operate under the fullest protection of both laws. I don't see that it is hard to understand.

Its pretty obvious you work for the bishop's office as you have been jumping from forum to forum not only verbally "crucifying" Fr. Frank but also made one other weak argument to another priest from New Hampshire who posted in behalf of Fr. Frank that he shouldnt bother himself with 'Your Bishop's" affair in Amarillo since he was in New Hampshire. Yeah ... it sounds even neurotic on this thread as I write it.

You left that thread because a lot of the other posters also thought your comment there was just as thoughtless and responded to your post with disdain and utter complete shock so you jumped to this thread now.

Obviously you are the bishop's troll. That's fine.

Lash out at Fr. Frank all you want as we, the staunch believers of pro-life, will be negating each and every single post of yours as it is all based on your FEELINGS toward Fr. Frank and not based on any facts.

CHAOSGIRL --- your name says it like it is.

How about changing your screen name to: FINALLYFIGUREDTHINGSOUTJUSTBYDOINGRESPONSIBLERESEARCHGIRL.

Your first post said "non-emotional take" and yet your last post was full of it.

I also happen to notice you posting on all articles regarding Fr. Frank Pavone and they are usually full of vehemence, scorn and disdain for this priest.

You seem to follow each and every post and article on him and then make remarks filled with so much hatred.

I am curious if you have ever met the man and if he has done something to you personally for you to hate him so.

Or is it his cause you hate. The cause on saving lives.

Chaosgirl if your life is hanging on the balance and everyone on this God's given earth is rallying to end your life because by their standards it has no value and you are nothing but a burden, how would you feel if there was just even one voice, Fr. Frank's voice, rallying for your life because he knows you DO have value and worth.

Would you still act and feel the same hate and loathing you seem to feel for him?

You may post in reply to my post that you dont have any ill feelings but the poster above me, Agnescampari is correct. You are in each and every article about him and have been posting nothing but hateful comments and remarks toward him so you cannot say that you dont have any ill feelings at all.

May God bless you, Chaosgirl and give you the peace in your heart and in your soul. May you be healed from whatever emotional scars you may have.

Gospel of Life Ministries is an interdenominational effort to end abortion. It encompasses outreach to clergy , laity, government officials, those hurting from abortion, and all people of good will.

Gospel of Life Ministries received its tax exemption from the IRS in November 2007. Gospel of Life Ministries had waited until the application was approved before soliciting contributions or starting any operations. The IRS has a minimum income threshold for filing and for several years GOLM did not meet this minimum income requirement and thus did not file with the IRS.

The IRS recently instituted a computerized process to automatically revoke the non-profit status of organizations that did not meet certain filing requirements. In June 2010, over 300,000 non-profit organizations "lost" their non-profit status. In order to reinstate the exempt status, an organization is required to submit a re-reinstatement request and any outstanding information returns.

GOL is in the process of completing its 2010 audit and will file the reinstatement request, together with the required filings as soon as the audit is complete. Gospel of Life Ministries is confident that its non-profit status will be restored retroactively once the administrative process is completed.

@agnes and Juliet. I will set the record / facts straight to you two, then I will not deal with you any longer. If you read both of your posts; you will see that I am not the one hating or crucifying. I think you need to spend your time adjusting your own extremist attitudes and pray for yourselves than spend time on me. I will take care of myself just fine.

I am NOT a Bishop's office worker, cronie, or anything as such. I am just against corruption whereever it may exist; and am in favor of administrative oversight for these missions esp in the Church as we have had too many scandals that have brought our Church down. I am passionate about fighting against folks who take advantage. Now, I am not saying Fa Pavone is a crook or "crucifying" him as you so eloquantly said; but I am not opposed to his being summoned home to answer to these problems that seem obvious to exist within his realm of control. If you were as passionate about the anti abortion cause, and the monies used to work against abortion, then you should not mind it either. What ever happens to the Father, your work can still be done in the world.

I am NOT pro abortion, and stand with the Church on their teachings of pro life ministry. I do not favor extremists tactics however, and do oppose many of the methods used by the Father and his group of followers. I especially do not like it when they impede on a woman's right to health care at Haven Heath care center (formerly planned parenthood). They use terror tactics which turn me off; and do not help their cause IMHO, of course. You can believe and minister as you wish, along with the Father, I do not care. As long as it is legal and not taking money from donators and wasted on administrative costs and not their ministry work on the ground. (36 cents of every dollar given goes directly to the administration; only 64 cents goes to the cause. Without any over sight)

About my blog name, I don't give a flip what you think about it, but I think my maturity rating would be a lot higher than any of you two. You get down to the level of calling me names, making fun and bullying me, regarding my opinion when it is different from your own. I do not stalk people on this AGN blog site, but I will stand and defend myself. So all I can say about the immature babble BS you have to write about me is; go right ahead if it pleases you. It does not make me change my opinion of any this matter. Good Day ladies .

@agnes - you need to cut back on your caffeine. Attacking Chaosgirl is not only a low blow but it is also a waste of posting space and you're also not sticking to the point. The issue at hand here is that the bishop zurek did something that could have been handled in a much more civilized and less scandalous manner without lambasting and damaging the image and reputation of a priest who is undeniably a very powerful and key figure in the pro-life movement. There is just no way anyone can refute that.

@chaosgirl - you had mentioned anyone or any priest can replace Fr. Frank but the truth of the matter is: local and regular janes and joes, other priests, other bishops, and local pro-life leaders are clamoring for Fr. Frank Pavone and there is a reason for that.

I'm not pointing fingers at you or demeaning you or getting angry with you in any way shape or form.

But instead of hating the man and the movement, please look into the heart of the matter, the man and the pro life movement.

I don't hate the man, bobbi, as I said I don't care for his tactics. They are terroristic in nature. I understand that shock gets attention, but I don't agree with it esp w/the Church's business. Maybe I just don't understand, but I don't feel shock and impeding on someone's health care for which they know nothing about, is the correct way to minister.

I know there are trucks and small planes in Amarillo now with graphic photos of aborted babies.

I for one do not have any problem with that at all. The world NEEDS to see exactly how horrific abortion is.

Why hide it? There is nothing sweet or quiet or gentle or painless to the unborn baby inside a mother's womb when it is being killed via abortion.

I read a few days back from another poster about this Pavone - Zurek situation and they posted something to this effect:

One way a baby is killed in the womb is thru saline injection. How about trying to fill a bathtub with water mixed with acid and try soaking in it non-stop for 5 to 7 days. That's how long a baby dies in the mother's womb while there is that saline solution in her amniotic fluid. The baby is alive all thru this burning process.

Another way : again the baby is fully alive in the mother's womb as this procedure is happening: a forcep grabs hold of whatever it can, either a hand or leg or any limb and they yank and tug until it dismembers from the baby's body. How about trying to tie yourself to a post and then tie your arms, legs and neck to different trucks and then have those trucks drive away one by one as they dismember you while you are still alive?

Another way: they induce labor while the baby is still in the breach position and they only let the body of the baby be exposed up until the neck because while the head is still inside the body of the mother, the doctor makes an incision in the base of the neck of the baby (AGAIN: THE BABY IS FULLY AWAKE AND STILL ALIVE) then inserts a tube thru the back of the neck and into the baby's skull to suck out its brains. THEN the doctor pulls the baby completely out of the mother's body and disposes it on the side table.

If showing and letting the world know exactly how horrific abortion is and calling that "ACTS OF TERRORISM" because it is the truth.... then I say. SO BE IT.

THE WORLD NEEDS TO KNOW THERE IS NO BEAUTY IN ABORTION.

I SAY: USE EVERY TACTIC IT CAN TO SHOW HOW UGLY IT IS.

I SAY: ABORTION IS JUST LIKE THE HOLOCAUST. ABORTION IS ETHNIC CLEANSING. ABORTION IS TORTURE. ABORTION IS MURDER!

Mr Horn and Vanessa seem to be unclear as to what the filing requirements are for an exempt organization. There had been no requirement until recently for exempt organizations under $25,000 ($50,000 for 2010 and later). In recent years those organizations are required to file an e-postcard return to let the IRS know they are still in existence. An organization over those minimums has been required to file either a form 990 or a 990-EZ. From what Mr. Horn has said there has been a requirement to file a 990-EZ at the minimum.

Organizations under the minimum level that failed to file an e-card and so were automatically revoked can seek an easy reinstatement that is made retroactive. That does not apply to an organization that was over the minimum requirement such as Gospel of Life Ministries. There is no appeal allowed for their revocation due to failure to file returns for 3+ years. They are required to reapply for exempt status, and the effective date will be the date they file their new application form. If they have not yet done so, then they are still not an exempt organization and any contributions to them will not be deductible.

It sounds as if Mr. Horn is thinking that Rachel's Vineyard has not been required to file either. They are last shown to have filed a form 990 in 2008. They are at least one if not two years behind in their filing if they have not recently done so and depending upon if they requested an extension. If they fail to catch up and also miss this year's return, they will become subject to automatic revocation next June. The same seems to be true for Priests for Life themselves. Posting their financial statements on their website are not a substitute for filing their required information returns. The 990's are then to be made available to anyone that requests them, and usually can be found on a service such as guidestar.org.

I don't know about all the issues at hand here but what I do know is that the images of aborted fetuses are inappropriate subject matter for small children to be exposed to. I didn't want that image in my head and am certain other parents of small children don't want it in theirs either! It's sad that their objective has over shadowed what is being exposed to small minds and hearts entirely to early all over the city with grotesque images. If city ordinance prohibits pornographic images used in such a way then how is it this is ok the affect is the same...completely inappropriate. There is a time and place for such things, I was put in the position of a neighbors 7 year old asking what an abortion is after seeing an airplane flying over head constantly advertising such, and that is just one of many instances in my apartment complex w/ small kids every! My own kids haven't seen the trucks and we keep an eye out so as to avoid it this is ridiculous!!! We should not be having to protect our kids (hmm sounds familiar) from the catholic church of all things!!!!

Abortion will not be outlawed until "that image" is in the heads of millions more adults and teenagers. I too think it's unfortunate that young children see these horrible pictures, but that is the inevitable side-effect of broadcasting these pictures to a wide audience. The fact is that if we refrained from showing these pictures in places where children might see them, then we would hardly show them in public at all. That's fine if you don't care about ending abortion. But those of us who do must never accept a strategy that says to keep abortion hidden from the eyes of the American people.

When these graphic images are displayed in public people change their minds about abortion and women contemplating abortion choose not to do it. So we are put in the position of choosing between saving preborn children from being torn apart and saving born children from being disturbed.